A new study from the Outdoor Industry Association’s Climate Action Corps outlines opportunities where apparel and textile companies can save money and reduce supply chain emissions by switching to electric heat.

The study was commissioned by Patagonia, Burton, New Balance, REI Co-op and Gore’s Fabric Division, and is the latest in a series of steps the outdoor industry is taking to mitigate the impact of the climate crisis, according to the OIA.

Patagonia is one of several outdoor brands that commissioned a study on how to reduce carbon emissions in the apparel industry’s supply chain.

The main findings of the study show that shifting to industrial heat pumps can lead to substantial energy reductions, reduced carbon emissions and lower costs compared to conventional heating systems.

“One of the biggest issues in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our apparel and textile supply chains is thermal energy – steam and hot water for heating processes in factories,” said Sarah Rykal, senior manager of the Climate Action Corps. “Can we use something other than coal, natural gas or other fossil fuels? Our study demonstrates how there is an opportunity to decarbonize thermal heating processes in apparel and textile factories in a way that reduces emissions, energy and cost over time.”

She added that the OIA will be sharing its findings with factory partners in China, Japan and Taiwan to help increase sustainability efforts.

“These results impact the entire fashion industry, not just the outdoor industry,” Rykal said.

Burton, New Balance, Patagonia, REI, Gore and the OIA worked with the industrial decarbonization consulting firm Global Efficiency Intelligence to conduct the study. The goal was to gain insight into reducing emissions in the apparel industry’s supply chain by shifting from carbon-intensive thermal heating processes currently powered by fossil fuels to more efficient, clean electrified processes where low- or zero-carbon electricity is used. The research focused on the textile industry with a special focus on tier 2 factories – facilities where materials are produced and finished before going into finished products – in China, Japan and Taiwan, though it would apply to other geographies as well.

“Electrification of process heating will play a vital role in the deep decarbonization of the textile industry and apparel supply chain when tied to renewable electricity. However, it seems like not many managers and engineers in the textile and apparel companies are aware of this huge opportunity. There is certainly a need for more work in this area,” said Ali Hasanbeigi, research director at Global Efficiency Intelligence and lead researcher for this study.

Kim Drenner, head of supply chain environmental impact at Patagonia, said the new research provides “tangible, cost-effective ways for suppliers and brands to end their reliance on fossil fuels.”

One caveat the report acknowledges though is that electric heating on its own isn’t enough to reduce emissions unless the electricity grid is modernized and decarbonized. “Investing in the electricity grid and increasing the share of renewable energy in the power sector energy mix will help to accelerate industrial electrification and contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions,” the report states.

Based in Boulder, CO, the OIA is a trade association for the outdoor industry. Other steps its Climate Action Corps have taken recently include the formation of the Drinkware CoLab, where four major drinkware brands – all of which are offered in the promotional products industry – are exploring ways to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing.

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